CA2972384A1 - Embedded electric generator in turbine engine - Google Patents
Embedded electric generator in turbine engine Download PDFInfo
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- CA2972384A1 CA2972384A1 CA2972384A CA2972384A CA2972384A1 CA 2972384 A1 CA2972384 A1 CA 2972384A1 CA 2972384 A CA2972384 A CA 2972384A CA 2972384 A CA2972384 A CA 2972384A CA 2972384 A1 CA2972384 A1 CA 2972384A1
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- electric generator
- turbine engine
- component
- bypass duct
- compressor
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- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 39
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 34
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 claims description 28
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 15
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000005672 electromagnetic field Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000017525 heat dissipation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003137 locomotive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008030 elimination Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- RLQJEEJISHYWON-UHFFFAOYSA-N flonicamid Chemical compound FC(F)(F)C1=CC=NC=C1C(=O)NCC#N RLQJEEJISHYWON-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000006698 induction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01D—NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES
- F01D15/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of engines with devices driven thereby
- F01D15/10—Adaptations for driving, or combinations with, electric generators
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02C—GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
- F02C3/00—Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of combustion products as the working fluid
- F02C3/04—Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of combustion products as the working fluid having a turbine driving a compressor
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02C—GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
- F02C7/00—Features, components parts, details or accessories, not provided for in, or of interest apart form groups F02C1/00 - F02C6/00; Air intakes for jet-propulsion plants
- F02C7/32—Arrangement, mounting, or driving, of auxiliaries
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02K—JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
- F02K3/00—Plants including a gas turbine driving a compressor or a ducted fan
- F02K3/02—Plants including a gas turbine driving a compressor or a ducted fan in which part of the working fluid by-passes the turbine and combustion chamber
- F02K3/04—Plants including a gas turbine driving a compressor or a ducted fan in which part of the working fluid by-passes the turbine and combustion chamber the plant including ducted fans, i.e. fans with high volume, low pressure outputs, for augmenting the jet thrust, e.g. of double-flow type
- F02K3/06—Plants including a gas turbine driving a compressor or a ducted fan in which part of the working fluid by-passes the turbine and combustion chamber the plant including ducted fans, i.e. fans with high volume, low pressure outputs, for augmenting the jet thrust, e.g. of double-flow type with front fan
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
- H02K7/00—Arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with dynamo-electric machines, e.g. structural association with mechanical driving motors or auxiliary dynamo-electric machines
- H02K7/18—Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g. with turbines
- H02K7/1807—Rotary generators
- H02K7/1823—Rotary generators structurally associated with turbines or similar engines
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
- H02K9/00—Arrangements for cooling or ventilating
- H02K9/02—Arrangements for cooling or ventilating by ambient air flowing through the machine
- H02K9/04—Arrangements for cooling or ventilating by ambient air flowing through the machine having means for generating a flow of cooling medium
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05D—INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
- F05D2220/00—Application
- F05D2220/70—Application in combination with
- F05D2220/76—Application in combination with an electrical generator
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T50/00—Aeronautics or air transport
- Y02T50/60—Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft
Abstract
A turbine engine is described that includes an intake, an inlet duct configured to receive fluid from the intake, and an outer bypass duct configured to receive fluid from the intake. The turbine engine further includes a drive shaft, a tower shaft mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, and an electric generator mechanically coupled to the tower shaft. The electric generator is located between the inlet duct and the outer bypass duct.
Description
Docket No: 1106-262US0I
EMBEDDED ELECTRIC GENERATOR IN TURBINE ENGINE
TECHNICAL FIELD
10001] This disclosure relates to electrical power generation in turbine engines.
BACKGROUND
100021 A turbine engine is a type of internal combustion engine that may drive an electric generator for converting mechanical power produced by the turbine engine to electrical power used by other components of a system. Some applications (e.g., due to size and weight restrictions) may require the electric generator to be located within the housing of the turbine engine. During operation, some internally-located electric generators may produce excess heat that may interfere with operations being performed by the electric generator and/or other collocated components of the turbine engine. In addition, performing maintenance or inspections of some internally-located electric generators may be difficult as other collocated components of the turbine engine obstruct access to the electric generator.
SUMMARY
100031 In some examples, the disclosure describes a turbine engine comprising an intake, an inlet duct configured to receive fluid from the intake, and an outer bypass duct configured to receive fluid from the intake. The turbine engine further comprises a drive shaft, a tower shaft mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, and an electric generator mechanically coupled to the tower shaft, wherein the electric generator is located between the inlet duct and the outer bypass duct.
100041 In some examples, the disclosure describes a method comprising receiving, at an electric generator located between an inlet duct and an outer bypass duct of a turbine engine, via a tower shaft mechanically coupled to a drive shaft of the turbine engine, mechanical power. The method further comprises generating, based on the mechanical power received from the tower shaft, electrical power. The method further comprises outputting the electrical power to an electrical load.
Docket No: I 106-262US0I
[0005] In some examples, the disclosure describes an electric generator module comprising a mechanical input configured to connect to a tower shaft that is mechanically coupled to a drive shaft of a turbine engine, wherein the tower shaft protrudes through a cavity of the turbine engine located between an inlet duct of the turbine engine and an outer bypass duct of the turbine engine, and receive mechanical power from the tower shaft. The electric generator module further comprises a power generation component configured to produce electrical power from mechanical power received by the mechanical input. The electric generator module further comprises an electrical output configured to output the electrical power produced by the power generation component to an electrical load.
[0006] The details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a turbine engine with an electric generator for producing electrical power, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating further details of the turbine engine of FIG. 1 which includes an electric generator mechanically coupled to a tower shaft, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating further details of the electric generator of FIGS. 1 and 2 which includes two components, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a -flowchart illustrating an example process implemented by a system including a turbine engine with an embedded electric generator, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a traditional turbine engine with an electric generator.
Docket No: I 106-262US01 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] In general, this disclosure describes techniques for positioning an electric generator within a cooler section or cavity of a turbine engine so as to improve overall heat dissipation from the electric generator, enable easier maintenance of the electric generator, and generally improve the overall design of the turbine engine. Unlike other turbine engines that may include an electric generator positioned in a traditional location beneath the inlet duct to the compressor, an example turbine engine may include an electric generator positioned between an inlet duct and an outer bypass duct of the turbine engine.
Positioning the electric generator between the inlet duct and the outer bypass duct may provide several advantages. For example, repositioning the electric generator in this way may configure the turbine engine to more easily dissipate heat produced by the electric generator (e.g., via the relatively cool fluid passing through the outer bypass duct). In addition, relocating the electric generator outside the traditional electric generator location and adjacent to the outer bypass duct may improve access to the electric generator for maintenance personnel performing maintenance tasks. That is, positioning the electric generator right beneath the outer bypass duct may minimize, or altogether eliminate, the need for maintenance personnel to disassemble or remove other components of the turbine engine in order to access the electric generator.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a turbine engine 2 with an electric generator 4 for producing electrical power, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure. Turbine engine 2 may be configured to convert one form of power to mechanical energy in the form of a rotating turbine. The mechanical energy produced by turbine engine 2 may be used in a variety of ways or for a variety of systems and applications (e.g., aircraft, locomotives, watercraft, power plants, electric generators, and any or all other systems and applications that rely on mechanical energy from a turbine engine to perform work).
100141 Turbine engine 2 may comprise electric generator 4, drive shaft 6, tower shaft 8, compressor 10, inlet duct 14, outer bypass duct 16, and intake 18, plus additional components not shown in FIG. I. Turbine engine 2 may comprise a gas turbine engine, a nuclear turbine engine, a steam turbine engine, or any other suitable turbine engine.
Docket No: 1106-262USOI
100151 Turbine engine 2 may reside within a three-dimensional space represented by X, Y, and Z directions, as shown in FIG. 1. Drive shaft 6 may extend in the X
direction, where the X-Y plane represents a horizontal plane. The Y direction may be at least partially into and out of the page in FIG. 1. Tower shaft 8 may extend in the Z direction, which may represent a vertical direction, such that electric generator 4 may be positioned above (e.g., in the vertical Z direction) drive shaft 6. Tower shaft 8 is depicted as extending in the Z
direction, but tower shaft 8 may also extend partially in the X or Y
directions.
100161 Drive shaft 6 is configured to rotate based on the rotation of a turbine in turbine engine 2. In some examples, drive shaft 6 may comprise a low-pressure (LP) shaft that is mechanically coupled to an LP turbine. Drive shaft 6 may be oriented in a horizontal direction, which is represented by the X direction in FIG. I. The rotational velocity of drive shaft 6 may depend on the diameter of drive shaft 6 and the size of turbine engine 2.
10017] Tower shaft 8 is configured to rotate based on the rotation of drive shaft 6. Tower shaft 8 may be mechanically coupled to drive shaft 6 by a gearbox. Several components in turbine engine 2 may be mechanically coupled to tower shaft 6, such as a fuel pump and/or a hydraulic pump. Tower shaft 8 may deliver mechanical power to electric generator 4 and other components in turbine engine 2. Tower shaft 8 may extend radially away from drive shaft 6 in the Z direction. Tower shaft 8 may also extend partially in the X
and Y
directions.
100181 Compressor 10 is configured to compress fluid, such as air or another gas, that is moving through turbine engine 2. The compressed fluid, along with injected fuel, may be combusted in a combustor (not shown in FIG. 1) to provide mechanical power to a high-pressure (HP) turbine. Compressor 10 may operate within inlet duct 14 of turbine engine 2 that receives fluid from an intake of turbine engine 2. Compressor 10 may run on mechanical power from drive shaft 6, a LP shaft, an 11P shaft, or another source.
Compressor 10 may be an axial compressor, a centrifugal compressor, or another type of compressor that produces compressed fluid.
100191 Electrical load 12 is configured to receive electrical power produced by electric generator 4. In some examples, electrical load 12 may include at least two electrical loads coupled to a power bus. Electrical load 12 may comprise any type of electrical load, such as a fuel pump, a hydraulic pump, a cabin load, an interior lighting and display system, a Docket No: 1106-262USOI
heating and cooling system, or other loads added by the system designer. The connection between electric generator 4 and electrical load 12 may include one or more power converters for converting one form of electricity to a second form of electricity.
100201 Inlet duct 14 is configured to receive fluid such as air or another gas from intake 18.
The fluid in inlet duct 14 (referred to in some examples as "core exhaust") may pass through compressor 10 for compression and later fuel injection. The temperature of the fluid in inlet duct 14 may increase as the pressure in inlet duct 14 increases.
100211 Outer bypass duct 16 is configured to receive fluid from intake 18. The fluid in outer bypass duct 16 (referred to in some examples as "bypass exhaust") may be cooler than the fluid in inlet duct 14 and/or the fluid in compressor 10. The fluid in outer bypass duct 16 may remain at or near the temperature outside of turbine engine 2 because the fluid in outer bypass duct 16 may uncompressed. Outer bypass duct 16 may comprise a bleed, such as a block and bleed valve, configured to provide cooling to electric generator 4.
100221 Intake 18 is configured to receive fluid from outside turbine engine 2.
Intake 18 may provide the fluid to inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 and other components within turbine engine 2.
100231 Electric generator 4 is configured to convert mechanical power to electrical power for use by other components or circuits. Electric generator 4 may comprise a direct-current (DC) generator or an alternating-current (AC) generator such as an induction generator.
Electric generator 4 may comprise Halbach array generator with permanent magnets on a rotor. A Halbach array is an array of magnets that cancels, or nearly cancels, the magnetic field on one side of the array.
100241 Electric generator 4 may comprise a mechanical input configured to connect to tower shaft 8. The mechanical input may receive mechanical power from tower shaft 8.
Electric generator 4 may generate and output DC or AC electricity to electrical load 12.
Electric generator 4 may further comprise an electrical output configured to deliver the electricity to electrical load 12. Electric generator 4 may comprise a power converter for converting AC to DC or vice versa before electric generator 4 outputs the electricity to electrical load 12.
10025] Electric generator 4 may generate heat during operation (e.g., due to friction from the moving components of electric generator 4 and/or electrical power dissipation). Unless Docket No: 1106-262US01 adequately dissipated, the heat from electric generator 4 may degrade the stability or functioning of electric generator 4 or nearby components. Electric generator 4 may also require occasional maintenance, which may require access to electric generator 4 within turbine engine 2.
[0026] In accordance with the techniques of this disclosure, electric generator 4 may be mechanically coupled to tower shaft 8 and located between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 of turbine engine 2. Coupling electric generator 4 to tower shaft 8 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 may improve the heat dissipation of electric generator 4, which may reduce the need for costly heat exchangers. For example, the fluid in outer bypass duct 16 may be cooler than the fluid in inlet duct 14. Positioning electric generator 4 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 may enable turbine engine 2 to dissipate heat from electric generator 4 using relatively simple heat exchangers that use fluid from outer bypass duct 16. Coupling electric generator 4 to tower shaft 8 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 may also improve the ease of access to electric generator 4 for maintenance. For example, a technician may be able to more easily access electric generator 4 for maintenance or inspections from outer bypass duct 16 than if electric generator 4 were to be positioned at a different location within turbine engine 2. That is, at other positions within turbine engine 2, electric generator 4 may be less accessible during maintenance or inspections because other components of turbine engine 2, such as compressor 10 and drive shaft 6, may obstruct access to electric generator 4.
Easier access to electric generator may reduce the number of components in turbine engine 2 that a technician has to remove or disassemble during a maintenance or inspection process.
[0027] Locating electric generator 4 on tower shaft 8 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 may improve the design of turbine engine 2. For example, by coupling electric generator 4 to tower shaft 8, between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16, the number of components in turbine engine 2 may be reduced. That is, unlike with some other turbine generators with internal electric generators, turbine engine 2 may not require an additional generator shaft and/or gearbox to mechanically couple the additional generator shaft to drive shaft 6 may if electric generator 4 is mechanically coupled to tower shaft 8.
In addition, by placing electric generator 4 inside turbine engine 2 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16, turbine engine 2 may have additional space to include other Docket No: 1106-262US01 components that may otherwise need to be located outside of turbine engine 2.
Moreover, repositioning of electric generator 4 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 may enable turbine engine 2 to rely on electrically powered components, as opposed to mechanically powered components (e.g., fuel pumps, hydraulic pumps, and the like), which may lead to more efficient use of space in and around turbine engine 2. By implementing electrically powered components, as opposed to mechanically powered components, a gearbox under turbine engine 2 may not be necessary to deliver mechanical power to the components. The elimination of the gearbox under turbine engine 2 may reduce the weight of turbine engine 2 and/or the surrounding system. Moreover, the electrically powered components may be arranged in a more efficient manner in and around turbine engine 2, as compared to mechanically powered components.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating further details of turbine engine 2 of FIG.
1 which includes an electric generator 4 mechanically coupled to a tower shaft 8, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure. FIG. 2 is described below in the context of FIG. 1.
100291 For example, turbine engine 2 may be configured to convert one form of power to mechanical energy in the form of a rotating turbine. Turbine engine 2 may be a gas turbine engine, a nuclear turbine engine, a steam turbine engine, or any other suitable turbine engine. The mechanical energy produced by turbine engine 2 may be used in a variety of ways or for a variety of systems and applications (e.g., aircraft, locomotives, watercraft, power plants, electric generators, and any or all other systems and applications that rely on mechanical energy from a turbine engine to perform work). Turbine engine 2 may include electric generator 4, drive shaft 6, tower shaft 8, and compressor 10, inlet duct 14, outer bypass duct 16, intake 18, cavity 20, and gearboxes 22A, 22B, plus additional components not shown in FIG. 2.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, turbine engine 2 includes cavity 20 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16. Cavity 20 is an open space inside of the boundaries of turbine engine
EMBEDDED ELECTRIC GENERATOR IN TURBINE ENGINE
TECHNICAL FIELD
10001] This disclosure relates to electrical power generation in turbine engines.
BACKGROUND
100021 A turbine engine is a type of internal combustion engine that may drive an electric generator for converting mechanical power produced by the turbine engine to electrical power used by other components of a system. Some applications (e.g., due to size and weight restrictions) may require the electric generator to be located within the housing of the turbine engine. During operation, some internally-located electric generators may produce excess heat that may interfere with operations being performed by the electric generator and/or other collocated components of the turbine engine. In addition, performing maintenance or inspections of some internally-located electric generators may be difficult as other collocated components of the turbine engine obstruct access to the electric generator.
SUMMARY
100031 In some examples, the disclosure describes a turbine engine comprising an intake, an inlet duct configured to receive fluid from the intake, and an outer bypass duct configured to receive fluid from the intake. The turbine engine further comprises a drive shaft, a tower shaft mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, and an electric generator mechanically coupled to the tower shaft, wherein the electric generator is located between the inlet duct and the outer bypass duct.
100041 In some examples, the disclosure describes a method comprising receiving, at an electric generator located between an inlet duct and an outer bypass duct of a turbine engine, via a tower shaft mechanically coupled to a drive shaft of the turbine engine, mechanical power. The method further comprises generating, based on the mechanical power received from the tower shaft, electrical power. The method further comprises outputting the electrical power to an electrical load.
Docket No: I 106-262US0I
[0005] In some examples, the disclosure describes an electric generator module comprising a mechanical input configured to connect to a tower shaft that is mechanically coupled to a drive shaft of a turbine engine, wherein the tower shaft protrudes through a cavity of the turbine engine located between an inlet duct of the turbine engine and an outer bypass duct of the turbine engine, and receive mechanical power from the tower shaft. The electric generator module further comprises a power generation component configured to produce electrical power from mechanical power received by the mechanical input. The electric generator module further comprises an electrical output configured to output the electrical power produced by the power generation component to an electrical load.
[0006] The details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a turbine engine with an electric generator for producing electrical power, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating further details of the turbine engine of FIG. 1 which includes an electric generator mechanically coupled to a tower shaft, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating further details of the electric generator of FIGS. 1 and 2 which includes two components, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a -flowchart illustrating an example process implemented by a system including a turbine engine with an embedded electric generator, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a traditional turbine engine with an electric generator.
Docket No: I 106-262US01 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] In general, this disclosure describes techniques for positioning an electric generator within a cooler section or cavity of a turbine engine so as to improve overall heat dissipation from the electric generator, enable easier maintenance of the electric generator, and generally improve the overall design of the turbine engine. Unlike other turbine engines that may include an electric generator positioned in a traditional location beneath the inlet duct to the compressor, an example turbine engine may include an electric generator positioned between an inlet duct and an outer bypass duct of the turbine engine.
Positioning the electric generator between the inlet duct and the outer bypass duct may provide several advantages. For example, repositioning the electric generator in this way may configure the turbine engine to more easily dissipate heat produced by the electric generator (e.g., via the relatively cool fluid passing through the outer bypass duct). In addition, relocating the electric generator outside the traditional electric generator location and adjacent to the outer bypass duct may improve access to the electric generator for maintenance personnel performing maintenance tasks. That is, positioning the electric generator right beneath the outer bypass duct may minimize, or altogether eliminate, the need for maintenance personnel to disassemble or remove other components of the turbine engine in order to access the electric generator.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a turbine engine 2 with an electric generator 4 for producing electrical power, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure. Turbine engine 2 may be configured to convert one form of power to mechanical energy in the form of a rotating turbine. The mechanical energy produced by turbine engine 2 may be used in a variety of ways or for a variety of systems and applications (e.g., aircraft, locomotives, watercraft, power plants, electric generators, and any or all other systems and applications that rely on mechanical energy from a turbine engine to perform work).
100141 Turbine engine 2 may comprise electric generator 4, drive shaft 6, tower shaft 8, compressor 10, inlet duct 14, outer bypass duct 16, and intake 18, plus additional components not shown in FIG. I. Turbine engine 2 may comprise a gas turbine engine, a nuclear turbine engine, a steam turbine engine, or any other suitable turbine engine.
Docket No: 1106-262USOI
100151 Turbine engine 2 may reside within a three-dimensional space represented by X, Y, and Z directions, as shown in FIG. 1. Drive shaft 6 may extend in the X
direction, where the X-Y plane represents a horizontal plane. The Y direction may be at least partially into and out of the page in FIG. 1. Tower shaft 8 may extend in the Z direction, which may represent a vertical direction, such that electric generator 4 may be positioned above (e.g., in the vertical Z direction) drive shaft 6. Tower shaft 8 is depicted as extending in the Z
direction, but tower shaft 8 may also extend partially in the X or Y
directions.
100161 Drive shaft 6 is configured to rotate based on the rotation of a turbine in turbine engine 2. In some examples, drive shaft 6 may comprise a low-pressure (LP) shaft that is mechanically coupled to an LP turbine. Drive shaft 6 may be oriented in a horizontal direction, which is represented by the X direction in FIG. I. The rotational velocity of drive shaft 6 may depend on the diameter of drive shaft 6 and the size of turbine engine 2.
10017] Tower shaft 8 is configured to rotate based on the rotation of drive shaft 6. Tower shaft 8 may be mechanically coupled to drive shaft 6 by a gearbox. Several components in turbine engine 2 may be mechanically coupled to tower shaft 6, such as a fuel pump and/or a hydraulic pump. Tower shaft 8 may deliver mechanical power to electric generator 4 and other components in turbine engine 2. Tower shaft 8 may extend radially away from drive shaft 6 in the Z direction. Tower shaft 8 may also extend partially in the X
and Y
directions.
100181 Compressor 10 is configured to compress fluid, such as air or another gas, that is moving through turbine engine 2. The compressed fluid, along with injected fuel, may be combusted in a combustor (not shown in FIG. 1) to provide mechanical power to a high-pressure (HP) turbine. Compressor 10 may operate within inlet duct 14 of turbine engine 2 that receives fluid from an intake of turbine engine 2. Compressor 10 may run on mechanical power from drive shaft 6, a LP shaft, an 11P shaft, or another source.
Compressor 10 may be an axial compressor, a centrifugal compressor, or another type of compressor that produces compressed fluid.
100191 Electrical load 12 is configured to receive electrical power produced by electric generator 4. In some examples, electrical load 12 may include at least two electrical loads coupled to a power bus. Electrical load 12 may comprise any type of electrical load, such as a fuel pump, a hydraulic pump, a cabin load, an interior lighting and display system, a Docket No: 1106-262USOI
heating and cooling system, or other loads added by the system designer. The connection between electric generator 4 and electrical load 12 may include one or more power converters for converting one form of electricity to a second form of electricity.
100201 Inlet duct 14 is configured to receive fluid such as air or another gas from intake 18.
The fluid in inlet duct 14 (referred to in some examples as "core exhaust") may pass through compressor 10 for compression and later fuel injection. The temperature of the fluid in inlet duct 14 may increase as the pressure in inlet duct 14 increases.
100211 Outer bypass duct 16 is configured to receive fluid from intake 18. The fluid in outer bypass duct 16 (referred to in some examples as "bypass exhaust") may be cooler than the fluid in inlet duct 14 and/or the fluid in compressor 10. The fluid in outer bypass duct 16 may remain at or near the temperature outside of turbine engine 2 because the fluid in outer bypass duct 16 may uncompressed. Outer bypass duct 16 may comprise a bleed, such as a block and bleed valve, configured to provide cooling to electric generator 4.
100221 Intake 18 is configured to receive fluid from outside turbine engine 2.
Intake 18 may provide the fluid to inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 and other components within turbine engine 2.
100231 Electric generator 4 is configured to convert mechanical power to electrical power for use by other components or circuits. Electric generator 4 may comprise a direct-current (DC) generator or an alternating-current (AC) generator such as an induction generator.
Electric generator 4 may comprise Halbach array generator with permanent magnets on a rotor. A Halbach array is an array of magnets that cancels, or nearly cancels, the magnetic field on one side of the array.
100241 Electric generator 4 may comprise a mechanical input configured to connect to tower shaft 8. The mechanical input may receive mechanical power from tower shaft 8.
Electric generator 4 may generate and output DC or AC electricity to electrical load 12.
Electric generator 4 may further comprise an electrical output configured to deliver the electricity to electrical load 12. Electric generator 4 may comprise a power converter for converting AC to DC or vice versa before electric generator 4 outputs the electricity to electrical load 12.
10025] Electric generator 4 may generate heat during operation (e.g., due to friction from the moving components of electric generator 4 and/or electrical power dissipation). Unless Docket No: 1106-262US01 adequately dissipated, the heat from electric generator 4 may degrade the stability or functioning of electric generator 4 or nearby components. Electric generator 4 may also require occasional maintenance, which may require access to electric generator 4 within turbine engine 2.
[0026] In accordance with the techniques of this disclosure, electric generator 4 may be mechanically coupled to tower shaft 8 and located between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 of turbine engine 2. Coupling electric generator 4 to tower shaft 8 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 may improve the heat dissipation of electric generator 4, which may reduce the need for costly heat exchangers. For example, the fluid in outer bypass duct 16 may be cooler than the fluid in inlet duct 14. Positioning electric generator 4 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 may enable turbine engine 2 to dissipate heat from electric generator 4 using relatively simple heat exchangers that use fluid from outer bypass duct 16. Coupling electric generator 4 to tower shaft 8 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 may also improve the ease of access to electric generator 4 for maintenance. For example, a technician may be able to more easily access electric generator 4 for maintenance or inspections from outer bypass duct 16 than if electric generator 4 were to be positioned at a different location within turbine engine 2. That is, at other positions within turbine engine 2, electric generator 4 may be less accessible during maintenance or inspections because other components of turbine engine 2, such as compressor 10 and drive shaft 6, may obstruct access to electric generator 4.
Easier access to electric generator may reduce the number of components in turbine engine 2 that a technician has to remove or disassemble during a maintenance or inspection process.
[0027] Locating electric generator 4 on tower shaft 8 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 may improve the design of turbine engine 2. For example, by coupling electric generator 4 to tower shaft 8, between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16, the number of components in turbine engine 2 may be reduced. That is, unlike with some other turbine generators with internal electric generators, turbine engine 2 may not require an additional generator shaft and/or gearbox to mechanically couple the additional generator shaft to drive shaft 6 may if electric generator 4 is mechanically coupled to tower shaft 8.
In addition, by placing electric generator 4 inside turbine engine 2 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16, turbine engine 2 may have additional space to include other Docket No: 1106-262US01 components that may otherwise need to be located outside of turbine engine 2.
Moreover, repositioning of electric generator 4 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 may enable turbine engine 2 to rely on electrically powered components, as opposed to mechanically powered components (e.g., fuel pumps, hydraulic pumps, and the like), which may lead to more efficient use of space in and around turbine engine 2. By implementing electrically powered components, as opposed to mechanically powered components, a gearbox under turbine engine 2 may not be necessary to deliver mechanical power to the components. The elimination of the gearbox under turbine engine 2 may reduce the weight of turbine engine 2 and/or the surrounding system. Moreover, the electrically powered components may be arranged in a more efficient manner in and around turbine engine 2, as compared to mechanically powered components.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating further details of turbine engine 2 of FIG.
1 which includes an electric generator 4 mechanically coupled to a tower shaft 8, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure. FIG. 2 is described below in the context of FIG. 1.
100291 For example, turbine engine 2 may be configured to convert one form of power to mechanical energy in the form of a rotating turbine. Turbine engine 2 may be a gas turbine engine, a nuclear turbine engine, a steam turbine engine, or any other suitable turbine engine. The mechanical energy produced by turbine engine 2 may be used in a variety of ways or for a variety of systems and applications (e.g., aircraft, locomotives, watercraft, power plants, electric generators, and any or all other systems and applications that rely on mechanical energy from a turbine engine to perform work). Turbine engine 2 may include electric generator 4, drive shaft 6, tower shaft 8, and compressor 10, inlet duct 14, outer bypass duct 16, intake 18, cavity 20, and gearboxes 22A, 22B, plus additional components not shown in FIG. 2.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, turbine engine 2 includes cavity 20 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16. Cavity 20 is an open space inside of the boundaries of turbine engine
2 and/or within a housing of turbine engine 2. Cavity 20 may be a cooler section of turbine engine 2, as compared to the temperature of compressor 10, because of the proximity of cavity 20 to outer bypass duct 16. Tower shaft 8 may protrude from drive shaft 6 through LWA1.1686 7 Docket No: 1106-262USOI
compressor 10 and cavity 20. Electric generator 4 may be located in cavity 20 of turbine engine 2 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16.
10031] Outer bypass duct 16 may carry bypass exhaust, which may be cooler than the core exhaust carried by inlet duct 14. In operation, core exhaust may travel through compressor 10, which may increase the pressure of the core exhaust, thereby increasing the temperature of the core exhaust. Therefore, positioning electric generator 4 in cavity 20 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 may enable turbine engine 2 to dissipate heat from electric generator 4 using relatively simple heat exchangers that transfer heat from electric generator 4 to the bypass exhaust from outer bypass duct 16. In some examples, the heat exchangers may comprise a fuel jacket configured to transfer heat from electric generator 4 to fuel in the fuel jacket. Transferring heat to the fuel in the fuel jacket may allow combustion of the fuel at a higher temperature, thereby improving the efficiency of turbine engine 2.
100321 Tower shaft 8 may be mechanically coupled to drive shaft 6 by gearbox 22A. As indicated above, tower shaft 8 may protrude from drive shaft 6 through compressor 10 and cavity 20. In some examples, tower shaft 8 includes necessary mechanical components to position tower shaft outside of compressor 10 or such that tower shaft bypasses and does not necessarily protrude through compressor 10. In other examples, drive shaft 6 and tower shaft 8 are positioned on the same lateral X-Y plane positioned above compressor .10 such that tower shaft 8 may protrude from drive shaft 6 over compressor 10 and into cavity 20.
100331 Component 26 of electric generator 4 may be mechanically coupled to tower shaft 8 by gearbox 22B. Each of gearboxes 22A, 22B may comprise one or more gears configured to rotate based on the rotational speeds of drive shaft 6, tower shaft 8, and/or component 26. Through gearbox 22A, drive shaft 6 may drive the rotation of tower shaft 8. Through gearbox 22A, tower shaft 8 may drive the rotation of component 26.
100341 Component 26 of electric generator 4 may comprise one or more magnets and/or one or more field coils configured to operate as an electromagnet. Component 26 may be referred to as a "rotor" because component 26 may rotate with respect to component 24, which may comprise one or more electrical windings, through which electrical current may flow. The electrical windings in component 24 may be configured to generate an electric Docket No: 1106-262US01 current based on the rotating electromagnetic field generated by the magnets and/or field coils in component 26.
100351 As depicted in FIG. 2, electric generator 4 may be positioned above compressor 10, inlet duct 14, and drive shaft 6. Electric generator 4 may be positioned beneath outer bypass duct 16. Compressor 10 and cavity 20 may be located below outer bypass duct 16.
The terms "above" and "beneath" may be defined in terms of the Z or vertical direction shown in FIG. 2. Said differently, electric generator 4 may be positioned between inlet duct 14 and bypass duct 16 and also between bypass duct 16 and compressor 10.
10036] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating further details of electric generator 4 of FIGS. 1 and 2 which includes two components 24, 26, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure. FIG. 3 is described below in the context of FIGS. 1 and 2.
100371 Component 24 of electric generator 4 may be mechanically coupled to support elements 44, 46, which may connect to one or more of compressor 10, inlet duct 14, outer bypass duct 16, and/or gearbox 22B. Component 26 of electric generator 4 may be mechanically coupled to mechanical element 40, which may be mechanically coupled to tower shaft 8 via gearbox 22B.
10038] Component 26 may comprise one or more magnets and/or one or more field coils configured to operate as electromagnets. The magnets and/or field coils may be configured to generate an electromagnetic field that passes through electrical windings 42 in component 24. As the electromagnetic field passes through electrical windings 42, a current may flow through electrical windings 42, thereby generating electrical power.
Component 26 may be referred to as a "rotor" because component 26 may rotate relative to component 24. Component 26 may be referred to as a mechanical input configured to receive mechanical power from tower shaft 8 via mechanical element 40 and/or gearbox 22B.
100391 Component 24 may comprise one or more electrical windings 42 through which electrical current may flow based on an electromagnetic field generated by component 26.
Component 24 may be refened to as an "armature" or a "stator," even though component 24 may not be stationary in some examples of this disclosure. Component 24 may also be referred to as a power generation component. Component 24 may be configured to produce electrical power from the mechanical power received by component 26. Component LWA.11686 9 Docket No: 1106-262US01 may also be referred to as an electrical output. Component 24 may output the electrical power through electrical wires in one or both of support elements 44,46.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 60 implemented by a system including a turbine engine with an embedded electric generator, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure. Operations 62-66 of process 60 are described in the context of turbine engine 2 of FIGS. 1 and 2.
100411 Process 60 includes receiving, at electric generator 4 located between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 of turbine engine 2, via tower shaft 8 mechanically coupled to drive shaft 6 of turbine engine 2, mechanical power (62). For example, if turbine engine 2 is part of an aircraft system, turbine engine 2 may spin drive shaft 6 during pre-fight or in-flight operations to provide mechanical power to drive shaft 6. Component 26 of electric generator 4, which may function as a rotor, may receive the mechanical power delivered to drive shaft 6 from tower shaft 8 through gearbox 22B. For example, component 26 may be configured to rotate based on the mechanical power received from tower shaft 8.
[0042] Process 60 also includes generating, based on the mechanical power received from tower shaft 8, electrical power (64). For example, component 26 may comprise a permanent magnet or an electromagnetic configured to induce an electrical current in an electrical winding of component 24. The electrical winding of component 24 may generate electrical power, in the form of an electrical current, based on the electromagnetic field created by component 26.
[0043] Process 60 also includes outputting the electrical power to electrical load 12 (66).
For example, component 24 may include an electrical wire for transmitting the electrical power to electrical load 12, which may comprise a fuel pump, a hydraulic pump, a cabin load, an interior lighting and display system, and a heating and cooling system or any other component or system of the aircraft.
[0044] FIG. 4 has described the operation of turbine engine 2 in general.
Electric generator 4 may be positioned in other locations within cavity 20 or in locations outside of cavity 20 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16. A person having ordinary skill in the art will understand that process 60 is not the only example enabled by the techniques described in this disclosure, and that the systems described herein may combine the techniques described herein in other ways to operate in other operating modes.
Docket No: 1106-262US01 [0045] As described in process 60, electric generator 4 may convert mechanical power to electrical power at a location in turbine engine 2 that improves the heat dissipation of electric generator 4. Positioning electric generator 4 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 may enable turbine engine 2 to dissipate heat from electric generator 4 using relatively simple heat exchangers that use fluid from outer bypass duct 16.
The location of electric generator 4 in turbine engine 2 may also improve the ease of access to electric generator 4 for maintenance. For example, a technician may be able to more easily access electric generator 4 for maintenance or inspections from outer bypass duct 16 than if electric generator 4 were to be positioned at a different location within turbine engine 2.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a traditional turbine engine 70 with an electric generator 72. Traditional turbine engine 70 may include drive shaft 86, tower shaft 88, compressor 90, inlet duct 94, outer bypass duct 96, intake 98, and gearbox 102A.
[0047] Unlike turbine engine 2 of FIGS. 1 and 2 which includes generator 4 positioned in cavity 20 between inlet duct 14 and bypass duct 16, traditional turbine engine 70 of FIG. 5 includes generator 72 positioned in cavity 78 which is positioned beneath intake 98 and inlet duct 94. That is, in cavity 78, electric generator 72 may be positioned above drive shaft 86 and mechanically coupled to receive mechanical power from drive shaft 86 but beneath inlet duct 94 and not above inlet duct 94. "Beneath" and "above" may be defined in terms of the Z direction, as depicted in FIG. 5. Component 76 may be configured to receive mechanical power from drive shaft 6 via an auxiliary gearbox and/or a mechanical element. Component 74 may be configured to produce electrical power from the mechanical power received by component 76. Component 74 may output the electrical power to an electrical load (not shown in FIG. 5).
100481 During operation, electric generator 72 may produce excess heat that may interfere with operations being performed by electric generator 72 and/or other collocated components of traditional turbine engine 70. Electric generator 72 in cavity 78 may be a farther distance from the cooler fluid in outer bypass duct 96 than the distance between electric generator 4 and outer bypass duct 16 in FIG. 2. The architecture and the configuration of turbine engine 70 may inhibit heat transfer away from electric generator 72. Therefore, due to its positioning in cavity 78, removing heat from electric generator 72 in cavity 78 may involve complex, heavy, and expensive equipment, such as heat 1..,WA.11686 Il Docket No: 1106-262US01 exchangers. The heat exchangers for electric generator 72 in cavity 78 may be more complex and expensive than the heat exchangers for electric generator 4 in cavity 20 because of the longer distance from cavity 78 to outer bypass duct 96.
100491 Electric generator 72 may also require occasional maintenance, which may require access to electric generator 72 within cavity 78 of traditional turbine engine 70. Performing maintenance or inspections of electric generator 72 in cavity 78 may be difficult as other collocated components of traditional turbine engine 70 obstruct access to electric generator 72. Maintenance personnel may need to disassemble or remove components of traditional turbine engine 70, such as compressor 90 and drive shaft 86, in order to access electric generator 72.
Docket No: 1106-262USOI
100501 The following numbered examples demonstrate one or more aspects of the disclosure.
10051] Example I. A turbine engine comprises an intake, an inlet duct configured to receive fluid from the intake, and an outer bypass duct configured to receive fluid from the intake. The turbine engine further comprises a drive shaft, a tower shaft mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, and an electric generator mechanically coupled to the tower shaft, wherein the electric generator is located between the inlet duct and the outer bypass duct.
10052] Example 2. The turbine engine of example 1, further comprising a compressor, wherein the tower shaft passes through the compressor, wherein the compressor is configured to compress fluid traveling through the inlet duct.
10053] Example 3. The turbine engine of any combination of examples 1 or 2, wherein the compressor is beneath the outer bypass duct, wherein the electric generator is located between the compressor and the outer bypass duct.
[0054] Example 4. The turbine engine of any combination of examples 1 to 3, wherein the outer bypass duct comprises a bleed configured to provide cooling to the electric generator.
[0055] Example 5. The turbine engine of any combination of examples 1 to 4, wherein the drive shaft comprises a low-pressure shaft.
[0056] Example 6. The turbine engine of any combination of examples 1 to 5, wherein the tower shaft is mechanically coupled to the drive shaft by a gearbox.
100571 Example 7. The turbine engine of any combination of examples 1 to 6, further comprising a fuel jacket configured to absorb heat from the electric generator.
[0058] Example 8. The turbine engine of any combination of examples 1 to 7, wherein the electric generator comprises a first component comprising a magnet, wherein the first component is coupled to the tower shaft; and a second component comprising a winding, wherein the second component is coupled to the compressor.
100591 Example 9. The turbine engine of any combination of examples I to 8, wherein the electric generator is mechanically coupled to the tower shaft by a gearbox.
Docket No: I 106-262US0I
100601 Example 10. The turbine engine of any combination of examples 1 to 9, wherein the electric generator is configured to deliver electricity to a fuel pump or a hydraulic pump.
100611 Example 11. A method comprises receiving, at an electric generator located between an inlet duct and an outer bypass duct of a turbine engine, via a tower shaft mechanically coupled to a drive shaft of the turbine engine, mechanical power.
The method further comprises generating, based on the mechanical power received from the tower shaft, electrical power. The method further comprises outputting the electrical power to an electrical load.
100621 Example 12. The method of example 11, further comprising receiving fluid from the outer bypass duct to cool the electric generator; and transferring heat from the electric generator to the fluid from the outer bypass duct.
100631 Example 13. The method of any combination of examples 1 to 12, further comprising receiving fuel in a fuel jacket; and transferring heat from the electric generator to the fuel in the fuel jacket.
100641 Example 14. The method of any combination of examples 1 to 13, wherein receiving mechanical power via the tower shaft comprises receiving mechanical power at the electric generator via a gearbox mechanically coupled to the tower shaft.
100651 Example 15. An electric generator module comprises a mechanical input configured to connect to a tower shaft that is mechanically coupled to a drive shaft of a turbine engine, wherein the tower shaft protrudes through a cavity of the turbine engine located between an inlet duct of the turbine engine and an outer bypass duct of the turbine engine, and receive mechanical power from the tower shaft. The electric generator module further comprises a power generation component configured to produce electrical power from mechanical power received by the mechanical input. The electric generator module further comprises an electrical output configured to output the electrical power produced by the power generation component to an electrical load.
t..wA11686 14 Docket No: 1106-262USOI
[0066] Example 16. The electric generator module of example 15, wherein the power generation component comprises a first component comprising a magnet, wherein the first component is configured to mechanically couple to the tower shaft; and a second component comprising a winding, wherein the second component is configured to mechanically couple to a compressor of the turbine engine.
[0067] Example 17. The electric generator module of any combination of examples 15 to 16, further comprising a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the electric generator module to fuel in a fuel jacket.
[0068] Example 18. The electric generator module of any combination of examples 15 to 17, further comprising a second heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the electric generator module to fluid from the outer bypass duct.
[0069] Example 19. The electric generator module of any combination of examples 1.5 to 18, wherein the first component is configured to mechanically couple to the tower shaft by at least a gearbox; the first component is configured to rotate; and the second component is configured to not rotate.
[0070] Example 20. The electric generator module of any combination of examples 15 to 19, wherein the tower shaft is configured to pass through a compressor; the compressor is configured to compress fluid traveling through the inlet duct; the compressor is configured to be positioned beneath the outer bypass duct; and the electric generator module is located between the compressor and the outer bypass duct.
[0071] Various examples have been described. These and other examples are within the scope of the following claims.
compressor 10 and cavity 20. Electric generator 4 may be located in cavity 20 of turbine engine 2 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16.
10031] Outer bypass duct 16 may carry bypass exhaust, which may be cooler than the core exhaust carried by inlet duct 14. In operation, core exhaust may travel through compressor 10, which may increase the pressure of the core exhaust, thereby increasing the temperature of the core exhaust. Therefore, positioning electric generator 4 in cavity 20 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 may enable turbine engine 2 to dissipate heat from electric generator 4 using relatively simple heat exchangers that transfer heat from electric generator 4 to the bypass exhaust from outer bypass duct 16. In some examples, the heat exchangers may comprise a fuel jacket configured to transfer heat from electric generator 4 to fuel in the fuel jacket. Transferring heat to the fuel in the fuel jacket may allow combustion of the fuel at a higher temperature, thereby improving the efficiency of turbine engine 2.
100321 Tower shaft 8 may be mechanically coupled to drive shaft 6 by gearbox 22A. As indicated above, tower shaft 8 may protrude from drive shaft 6 through compressor 10 and cavity 20. In some examples, tower shaft 8 includes necessary mechanical components to position tower shaft outside of compressor 10 or such that tower shaft bypasses and does not necessarily protrude through compressor 10. In other examples, drive shaft 6 and tower shaft 8 are positioned on the same lateral X-Y plane positioned above compressor .10 such that tower shaft 8 may protrude from drive shaft 6 over compressor 10 and into cavity 20.
100331 Component 26 of electric generator 4 may be mechanically coupled to tower shaft 8 by gearbox 22B. Each of gearboxes 22A, 22B may comprise one or more gears configured to rotate based on the rotational speeds of drive shaft 6, tower shaft 8, and/or component 26. Through gearbox 22A, drive shaft 6 may drive the rotation of tower shaft 8. Through gearbox 22A, tower shaft 8 may drive the rotation of component 26.
100341 Component 26 of electric generator 4 may comprise one or more magnets and/or one or more field coils configured to operate as an electromagnet. Component 26 may be referred to as a "rotor" because component 26 may rotate with respect to component 24, which may comprise one or more electrical windings, through which electrical current may flow. The electrical windings in component 24 may be configured to generate an electric Docket No: 1106-262US01 current based on the rotating electromagnetic field generated by the magnets and/or field coils in component 26.
100351 As depicted in FIG. 2, electric generator 4 may be positioned above compressor 10, inlet duct 14, and drive shaft 6. Electric generator 4 may be positioned beneath outer bypass duct 16. Compressor 10 and cavity 20 may be located below outer bypass duct 16.
The terms "above" and "beneath" may be defined in terms of the Z or vertical direction shown in FIG. 2. Said differently, electric generator 4 may be positioned between inlet duct 14 and bypass duct 16 and also between bypass duct 16 and compressor 10.
10036] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating further details of electric generator 4 of FIGS. 1 and 2 which includes two components 24, 26, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure. FIG. 3 is described below in the context of FIGS. 1 and 2.
100371 Component 24 of electric generator 4 may be mechanically coupled to support elements 44, 46, which may connect to one or more of compressor 10, inlet duct 14, outer bypass duct 16, and/or gearbox 22B. Component 26 of electric generator 4 may be mechanically coupled to mechanical element 40, which may be mechanically coupled to tower shaft 8 via gearbox 22B.
10038] Component 26 may comprise one or more magnets and/or one or more field coils configured to operate as electromagnets. The magnets and/or field coils may be configured to generate an electromagnetic field that passes through electrical windings 42 in component 24. As the electromagnetic field passes through electrical windings 42, a current may flow through electrical windings 42, thereby generating electrical power.
Component 26 may be referred to as a "rotor" because component 26 may rotate relative to component 24. Component 26 may be referred to as a mechanical input configured to receive mechanical power from tower shaft 8 via mechanical element 40 and/or gearbox 22B.
100391 Component 24 may comprise one or more electrical windings 42 through which electrical current may flow based on an electromagnetic field generated by component 26.
Component 24 may be refened to as an "armature" or a "stator," even though component 24 may not be stationary in some examples of this disclosure. Component 24 may also be referred to as a power generation component. Component 24 may be configured to produce electrical power from the mechanical power received by component 26. Component LWA.11686 9 Docket No: 1106-262US01 may also be referred to as an electrical output. Component 24 may output the electrical power through electrical wires in one or both of support elements 44,46.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 60 implemented by a system including a turbine engine with an embedded electric generator, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure. Operations 62-66 of process 60 are described in the context of turbine engine 2 of FIGS. 1 and 2.
100411 Process 60 includes receiving, at electric generator 4 located between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 of turbine engine 2, via tower shaft 8 mechanically coupled to drive shaft 6 of turbine engine 2, mechanical power (62). For example, if turbine engine 2 is part of an aircraft system, turbine engine 2 may spin drive shaft 6 during pre-fight or in-flight operations to provide mechanical power to drive shaft 6. Component 26 of electric generator 4, which may function as a rotor, may receive the mechanical power delivered to drive shaft 6 from tower shaft 8 through gearbox 22B. For example, component 26 may be configured to rotate based on the mechanical power received from tower shaft 8.
[0042] Process 60 also includes generating, based on the mechanical power received from tower shaft 8, electrical power (64). For example, component 26 may comprise a permanent magnet or an electromagnetic configured to induce an electrical current in an electrical winding of component 24. The electrical winding of component 24 may generate electrical power, in the form of an electrical current, based on the electromagnetic field created by component 26.
[0043] Process 60 also includes outputting the electrical power to electrical load 12 (66).
For example, component 24 may include an electrical wire for transmitting the electrical power to electrical load 12, which may comprise a fuel pump, a hydraulic pump, a cabin load, an interior lighting and display system, and a heating and cooling system or any other component or system of the aircraft.
[0044] FIG. 4 has described the operation of turbine engine 2 in general.
Electric generator 4 may be positioned in other locations within cavity 20 or in locations outside of cavity 20 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16. A person having ordinary skill in the art will understand that process 60 is not the only example enabled by the techniques described in this disclosure, and that the systems described herein may combine the techniques described herein in other ways to operate in other operating modes.
Docket No: 1106-262US01 [0045] As described in process 60, electric generator 4 may convert mechanical power to electrical power at a location in turbine engine 2 that improves the heat dissipation of electric generator 4. Positioning electric generator 4 between inlet duct 14 and outer bypass duct 16 may enable turbine engine 2 to dissipate heat from electric generator 4 using relatively simple heat exchangers that use fluid from outer bypass duct 16.
The location of electric generator 4 in turbine engine 2 may also improve the ease of access to electric generator 4 for maintenance. For example, a technician may be able to more easily access electric generator 4 for maintenance or inspections from outer bypass duct 16 than if electric generator 4 were to be positioned at a different location within turbine engine 2.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a traditional turbine engine 70 with an electric generator 72. Traditional turbine engine 70 may include drive shaft 86, tower shaft 88, compressor 90, inlet duct 94, outer bypass duct 96, intake 98, and gearbox 102A.
[0047] Unlike turbine engine 2 of FIGS. 1 and 2 which includes generator 4 positioned in cavity 20 between inlet duct 14 and bypass duct 16, traditional turbine engine 70 of FIG. 5 includes generator 72 positioned in cavity 78 which is positioned beneath intake 98 and inlet duct 94. That is, in cavity 78, electric generator 72 may be positioned above drive shaft 86 and mechanically coupled to receive mechanical power from drive shaft 86 but beneath inlet duct 94 and not above inlet duct 94. "Beneath" and "above" may be defined in terms of the Z direction, as depicted in FIG. 5. Component 76 may be configured to receive mechanical power from drive shaft 6 via an auxiliary gearbox and/or a mechanical element. Component 74 may be configured to produce electrical power from the mechanical power received by component 76. Component 74 may output the electrical power to an electrical load (not shown in FIG. 5).
100481 During operation, electric generator 72 may produce excess heat that may interfere with operations being performed by electric generator 72 and/or other collocated components of traditional turbine engine 70. Electric generator 72 in cavity 78 may be a farther distance from the cooler fluid in outer bypass duct 96 than the distance between electric generator 4 and outer bypass duct 16 in FIG. 2. The architecture and the configuration of turbine engine 70 may inhibit heat transfer away from electric generator 72. Therefore, due to its positioning in cavity 78, removing heat from electric generator 72 in cavity 78 may involve complex, heavy, and expensive equipment, such as heat 1..,WA.11686 Il Docket No: 1106-262US01 exchangers. The heat exchangers for electric generator 72 in cavity 78 may be more complex and expensive than the heat exchangers for electric generator 4 in cavity 20 because of the longer distance from cavity 78 to outer bypass duct 96.
100491 Electric generator 72 may also require occasional maintenance, which may require access to electric generator 72 within cavity 78 of traditional turbine engine 70. Performing maintenance or inspections of electric generator 72 in cavity 78 may be difficult as other collocated components of traditional turbine engine 70 obstruct access to electric generator 72. Maintenance personnel may need to disassemble or remove components of traditional turbine engine 70, such as compressor 90 and drive shaft 86, in order to access electric generator 72.
Docket No: 1106-262USOI
100501 The following numbered examples demonstrate one or more aspects of the disclosure.
10051] Example I. A turbine engine comprises an intake, an inlet duct configured to receive fluid from the intake, and an outer bypass duct configured to receive fluid from the intake. The turbine engine further comprises a drive shaft, a tower shaft mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, and an electric generator mechanically coupled to the tower shaft, wherein the electric generator is located between the inlet duct and the outer bypass duct.
10052] Example 2. The turbine engine of example 1, further comprising a compressor, wherein the tower shaft passes through the compressor, wherein the compressor is configured to compress fluid traveling through the inlet duct.
10053] Example 3. The turbine engine of any combination of examples 1 or 2, wherein the compressor is beneath the outer bypass duct, wherein the electric generator is located between the compressor and the outer bypass duct.
[0054] Example 4. The turbine engine of any combination of examples 1 to 3, wherein the outer bypass duct comprises a bleed configured to provide cooling to the electric generator.
[0055] Example 5. The turbine engine of any combination of examples 1 to 4, wherein the drive shaft comprises a low-pressure shaft.
[0056] Example 6. The turbine engine of any combination of examples 1 to 5, wherein the tower shaft is mechanically coupled to the drive shaft by a gearbox.
100571 Example 7. The turbine engine of any combination of examples 1 to 6, further comprising a fuel jacket configured to absorb heat from the electric generator.
[0058] Example 8. The turbine engine of any combination of examples 1 to 7, wherein the electric generator comprises a first component comprising a magnet, wherein the first component is coupled to the tower shaft; and a second component comprising a winding, wherein the second component is coupled to the compressor.
100591 Example 9. The turbine engine of any combination of examples I to 8, wherein the electric generator is mechanically coupled to the tower shaft by a gearbox.
Docket No: I 106-262US0I
100601 Example 10. The turbine engine of any combination of examples 1 to 9, wherein the electric generator is configured to deliver electricity to a fuel pump or a hydraulic pump.
100611 Example 11. A method comprises receiving, at an electric generator located between an inlet duct and an outer bypass duct of a turbine engine, via a tower shaft mechanically coupled to a drive shaft of the turbine engine, mechanical power.
The method further comprises generating, based on the mechanical power received from the tower shaft, electrical power. The method further comprises outputting the electrical power to an electrical load.
100621 Example 12. The method of example 11, further comprising receiving fluid from the outer bypass duct to cool the electric generator; and transferring heat from the electric generator to the fluid from the outer bypass duct.
100631 Example 13. The method of any combination of examples 1 to 12, further comprising receiving fuel in a fuel jacket; and transferring heat from the electric generator to the fuel in the fuel jacket.
100641 Example 14. The method of any combination of examples 1 to 13, wherein receiving mechanical power via the tower shaft comprises receiving mechanical power at the electric generator via a gearbox mechanically coupled to the tower shaft.
100651 Example 15. An electric generator module comprises a mechanical input configured to connect to a tower shaft that is mechanically coupled to a drive shaft of a turbine engine, wherein the tower shaft protrudes through a cavity of the turbine engine located between an inlet duct of the turbine engine and an outer bypass duct of the turbine engine, and receive mechanical power from the tower shaft. The electric generator module further comprises a power generation component configured to produce electrical power from mechanical power received by the mechanical input. The electric generator module further comprises an electrical output configured to output the electrical power produced by the power generation component to an electrical load.
t..wA11686 14 Docket No: 1106-262USOI
[0066] Example 16. The electric generator module of example 15, wherein the power generation component comprises a first component comprising a magnet, wherein the first component is configured to mechanically couple to the tower shaft; and a second component comprising a winding, wherein the second component is configured to mechanically couple to a compressor of the turbine engine.
[0067] Example 17. The electric generator module of any combination of examples 15 to 16, further comprising a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the electric generator module to fuel in a fuel jacket.
[0068] Example 18. The electric generator module of any combination of examples 15 to 17, further comprising a second heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the electric generator module to fluid from the outer bypass duct.
[0069] Example 19. The electric generator module of any combination of examples 1.5 to 18, wherein the first component is configured to mechanically couple to the tower shaft by at least a gearbox; the first component is configured to rotate; and the second component is configured to not rotate.
[0070] Example 20. The electric generator module of any combination of examples 15 to 19, wherein the tower shaft is configured to pass through a compressor; the compressor is configured to compress fluid traveling through the inlet duct; the compressor is configured to be positioned beneath the outer bypass duct; and the electric generator module is located between the compressor and the outer bypass duct.
[0071] Various examples have been described. These and other examples are within the scope of the following claims.
Claims (20)
1. A turbine engine comprising:
an intake;
an inlet duct configured to receive fluid from the intake;
an outer bypass duct configured to receive fluid from the intake;
a drive shaft:
a tower shaft mechanically coupled to the drive shaft; and an electric generator mechanically coupled to the tower shaft, wherein the electric generator is located between the inlet duct and the outer bypass duct.
an intake;
an inlet duct configured to receive fluid from the intake;
an outer bypass duct configured to receive fluid from the intake;
a drive shaft:
a tower shaft mechanically coupled to the drive shaft; and an electric generator mechanically coupled to the tower shaft, wherein the electric generator is located between the inlet duct and the outer bypass duct.
2. The turbine engine of claim 1, further comprising a compressor, wherein the tower shaft passes through the compressor, wherein the compressor is configured to compress fluid traveling through the inlet duct.
3. The turbine engine of claim 2, wherein the compressor is beneath the outer bypass duct, wherein the electric generator is located between the compressor and the outer bypass duct.
4. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the outer bypass duct comprises a bleed configured to provide cooling to the electric generator.
5. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the drive shaft comprises a low-pressure shaft.
6. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the tower shaft is mechanically coupled to the drive shaft by a gearbox.
7. The turbine engine of claim 1, further comprising a fuel jacket configured to absorb heat from the electric generator.
8. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the electric generator comprises:
a first component comprising a magnet, wherein the first component is coupled to the tower shaft; and a second component comprising a winding, wherein the second component is coupled to the compressor.
a first component comprising a magnet, wherein the first component is coupled to the tower shaft; and a second component comprising a winding, wherein the second component is coupled to the compressor.
9. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the electric generator is mechanically coupled to the tower shaft by a gearbox.
10. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the electric generator is configured to deliver electricity to a fuel pump or a hydraulic pump.
11. A method comprising:
receiving, at an electric generator located between an inlet duct and an outer bypass duct of a turbine engine, via a tower shaft mechanically coupled to a drive shaft of the turbine engine, mechanical power;
generating, based on the mechanical power received from the tower shaft, electrical power;
outputting the electrical power to an electrical load.
receiving, at an electric generator located between an inlet duct and an outer bypass duct of a turbine engine, via a tower shaft mechanically coupled to a drive shaft of the turbine engine, mechanical power;
generating, based on the mechanical power received from the tower shaft, electrical power;
outputting the electrical power to an electrical load.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
receiving fluid from the outer bypass duct to cool the electric generator; and transferring heat from the electric generator to the fluid from the outer bypass duct.
receiving fluid from the outer bypass duct to cool the electric generator; and transferring heat from the electric generator to the fluid from the outer bypass duct.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
receiving fuel in a fuel jacket; and transferring heat from the electric generator to the fuel in the fuel jacket.
receiving fuel in a fuel jacket; and transferring heat from the electric generator to the fuel in the fuel jacket.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving mechanical power via the tower shaft comprises receiving, mechanical power at the electric generator via a gearbox mechanically coupled to the tower shaft.
15. An electric generator module comprising:
a mechanical input configured to:
connect to a tower shaft that is mechanically coupled to a drive shaft of a turbine engine, wherein the tower shaft protrudes through a cavity of the turbine engine located between an inlet duct of the turbine engine and an outer bypass duct of the turbine engine, and receive mechanical power from the tower shaft;
a power generation component configured to produce electrical power from mechanical power received by the mechanical input; and an electrical output configured to output the electrical power produced by the power generation component to an electrical load.
a mechanical input configured to:
connect to a tower shaft that is mechanically coupled to a drive shaft of a turbine engine, wherein the tower shaft protrudes through a cavity of the turbine engine located between an inlet duct of the turbine engine and an outer bypass duct of the turbine engine, and receive mechanical power from the tower shaft;
a power generation component configured to produce electrical power from mechanical power received by the mechanical input; and an electrical output configured to output the electrical power produced by the power generation component to an electrical load.
16. The electric generator module of claim 15, wherein the power generation component comprises:
a first component comprising a magnet, wherein the first component is configured to mechanically couple to the tower shaft; and a second component comprising a winding, wherein the second component is configured to mechanically couple to a compressor of the turbine engine.
a first component comprising a magnet, wherein the first component is configured to mechanically couple to the tower shaft; and a second component comprising a winding, wherein the second component is configured to mechanically couple to a compressor of the turbine engine.
17. The electric generator module of claim 15, further comprising a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the electric generator module to fuel in a fuel jacket.
18. The electric generator module of claim 15, further comprising a second heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the electric generator module to fluid from the outer bypass duct.
19. The electric generator module of claim 15, wherein:
the first component is configured to mechanically couple to the tower shaft by at least a gearbox;
the first component is configured to rotate; and the second component is configured to not rotate.
the first component is configured to mechanically couple to the tower shaft by at least a gearbox;
the first component is configured to rotate; and the second component is configured to not rotate.
20. The electric generator module of claim 15, wherein:
the tower shaft is configured to pass through a compressor;
the compressor is configured to compress fluid traveling through the inlet duct;
the compressor is configured to be positioned beneath the outer bypass duct;
and the electric generator module is located between the compressor and the outer bypass duct.
the tower shaft is configured to pass through a compressor;
the compressor is configured to compress fluid traveling through the inlet duct;
the compressor is configured to be positioned beneath the outer bypass duct;
and the electric generator module is located between the compressor and the outer bypass duct.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US15/253,978 | 2016-09-01 | ||
| US15/253,978 US11131208B2 (en) | 2016-09-01 | 2016-09-01 | Embedded electric generator in turbine engine |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2972384A1 true CA2972384A1 (en) | 2018-03-01 |
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| CA2972384A Pending CA2972384A1 (en) | 2016-09-01 | 2017-07-05 | Embedded electric generator in turbine engine |
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| US (1) | US11131208B2 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP3290651A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2972384A1 (en) |
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| US10513986B2 (en) * | 2016-10-05 | 2019-12-24 | Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc. | Counter-rotating electric generator in turbine engine |
| US10312781B2 (en) * | 2016-10-05 | 2019-06-04 | Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc. | Multiple coil electric generator in turbine engine |
| US10767566B2 (en) * | 2018-03-21 | 2020-09-08 | Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation | Electric propulsion motor cooling system and method |
| US11041439B2 (en) | 2018-09-14 | 2021-06-22 | Raytheon Technologies Corporation | Hybrid expander cycle with turbo-generator and cooled power electronics |
| WO2021039902A1 (en) * | 2019-08-30 | 2021-03-04 | 川崎重工業株式会社 | Gas turbine engine |
| PL435034A1 (en) * | 2020-08-20 | 2022-02-21 | General Electric Company Polska Spółka Z Ograniczoną Odpowiedzialnością | Driving motor assemblies providing access to components in driving chambers |
| US11795837B2 (en) | 2021-01-26 | 2023-10-24 | General Electric Company | Embedded electric machine |
| US11713733B2 (en) | 2021-08-13 | 2023-08-01 | Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. | Methods and systems for operating an engine to generate additional thrust |
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- 2017-08-03 EP EP17184693.4A patent/EP3290651A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
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|---|---|
| US11131208B2 (en) | 2021-09-28 |
| US20180058243A1 (en) | 2018-03-01 |
| EP3290651A1 (en) | 2018-03-07 |
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